Sometimes we just want to avoid the heartache, especially when it comes to books about people in the LGBTQ+ community. Because of that, here’s a list of queer books that, despite dealing with hardship sometimes, are sure to bring you a lot of joy!
(Spoiler alert, the queer people don’t die at the end)
the disasters by M. K England
This one has a great diverse cast of characters who are all lovable in their own distinct way. It’s fast-paced, action-packed, and funny. It follows a crew of ragtag rejects from the elite Ellis Station Academy who now have to go on a daring mission to basically save the world after the school Academy is attacked by a group of terrorists (if they can get along enough to do it).
date me, bryson keller by kevin van whye
Just one word: ADORABLE. The friendships and familial relationships are golden, and yes, things get hard at some point, but this book still leaves you with a very full heart! In this rom-com, Bryson Keller—popular, good-looking, and most definitely straight Bryson Keller—has to date someone new each week as part of a dare, and it’s all pretty much smooth sailing until Kai Sheridan, our protagonist, asks him out. But he wasn’t really expecting him to say yes. Oops?
in other lands By Sarah Rees Brennan
I can’t say enough good things about this one. The plot is great, the characters are even better, and it is full of great messages about feminism, sexuality, and growing up. In this fantasy coming-of-age we follow Elliot Schafer as he is taken to a school in the magical land of the Borderlands, and his adventures with the badass Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle and sunshine personified Luke Sunborn as he attempts to make peace treaties with just about every magical creature he can encounter (it doesn’t always go right).
her royal highness by rachel hawkins
You know that trope where the main girl falls for a guy but it turns out he is a prince? Well, this book is that, but make it gay. A heartbroken Millie Quint goes abroad to study in Scotland when she meets her roommate Flora, who is nothing short of a princess. And also an actual princess. They don’t get along at the beginning, but then things begin to change. Life isn’t a fairy tale and a happy ending to this situation seems unlikely…but is it?
the abyss that surrounds us by Emily Skrutskie
![The Abyss Surrounds Us de [Emily Skrutskie]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51C6YbUMPpL.jpg)
Badass lesbian pirates. Enemies-to-lovers. Need I say more? In this wonderful book Cassandra Leung has been training genetically engineered monsters to help ships cross the pirate-infested NeoPacific. But her dream of becoming a full-time trainer sinks into the bottom of the sea when pirate queen Santa Elena ruins her first solo mission. But then Cassandra has to train one of Santa Elena’s monsters, and it is that or dying.
the starless sea by Erin morgenstern
Reading this book feels like being gently tucked into bed. The world is complicated, beautiful, and magical. The characters even more so. In this book we follow Zachary Ezra Rawlins, who by chance ends up reading a story on a book about his own childhood. This book takes him to a masquerade in New York, and then, to an ancient and magical library under the earth. But this place, which is much more than what meets the eye, is in danger and it is up to him, Mirabel, a fierce protector of the place, and Dorian, a man with uncertain alliances to save it.
red, white & royal blue By Casey mcquiston
A laugh-out-loud but also cry-your-eyes-out kind of book. Alex Claremont-Diaz, first son of the United States of America, has beef with Prince Henry of Wales. It’s all fun and games until a picture of an altercation between the two threatens to damage the U.S/British relations. They are forced to play pretend and act like best friends for the sake of their countries, but then things get more complicated when Henry kisses Alex one night and they both start a secret romance.
Something to talk about By meryl wilsner
The slowest of slow burns. Jo, Hollywood powerhouse, is photographed on the red carpet making her assistant, Emma, laugh, and just like that rumors of them dating spread across tabloids like California wildfires. The media attention starts to affect their lives, but as they spend more and more time together they grow closer and begin to open up to each other like they haven’t done before and they discover that the rumors might not be as off-base as they initially thought.
the house in the cerulean sea By TJ Klune
An incredibly beautiful and profound book about found family and uncovered secrets. In this book, Linus Baker, a Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, leads a quiet life looking over a group of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. One day he is summoned to travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children—and their caretaker, Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep them safe—live and he must determine whether or not they will cause the end of days.
Ascencion by Jacqueline Koyanagi
Simply put, a page-turner full of multi-faceted characters who you can’t help but love. On this one, Alana is a “sky surgeon” in Heliodor City, but she doesn’t make enough money to cover her medical bills. One day the captain of a cargo vessel—along with her crew—stops by her shipyard looking for her sister. In hopes of landing a long-term gig with the crew, Alana makes the impulse decision to stow away on the ship. But the crew proves to be more than she thought, and she can’t keep her eyes of the captain. Romance is a distraction, Nova is in danger, and someone will do anything to get to her.